A Whistle From The West

I have decided that here in Washington, I am in one of the wettest and westest parts of the west you can get to in the world. I mean, I suppose Hawaii counts as the West maybe, but if you go more west than the West, you end up in the East. Wha...? I suppose that's what you get for living on a globe. So, there you go. I am in the westernmost West.

General Conference was the highlight of the week, as I'm sure it was for many of you, too. It was interesting watching some of the sessions at member's homes with our investigators. We were at our Ward Mission Leader's home for the Sunday afternoon session with Glenna, one of our best investigators. It was during that session that Joaquin E. Costa gave his talk about his conversion and addressed it to nonmembers. Elder Quinton looked over at Glenna during the talk and noticed she was teary-eyed. She was very impressed with all of conference. She is very close to baptism. We just have to be help her choose a specific date and stick to it. Although she has been unwilling to set a specific date each time we bring up baptism, we can tell it has been on her mind. She brings it up of her own accord and has been continuing to take baby steps toward it. We committed her to say a specific prayer asking specifically if the church was true and if  Joseph Smith was a prophet and if the Book of Mormon was true. I think she will get baptized soon. Please pray for her to be able to progress and be baptized! It will bless her life so much!

We also ate some Persian food this week at a recent convert's home. It was pretty blasted good. 

Other than that, I am not sure what else to say. I liked so many talks from conference. They talked a lot about building faith in Jesus Christ by doing the small things every day (Through small and simple things are great things brought to pass... Alma 37:6-7)

There were talks about studying Christ's life and the document: "The Living Christ".

There were many talks on the Holy Ghost.

There were many talks about the Plan of Salvation God has created for us.

There were many talks on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

I had many questions answered, some of them very specific.

I really liked Elder M. Russel Ballard's talk on goals. I found it very profound and insightful. It is so important to understand your purpose wherever you are, and to have plans and goals to fulfill our purpose. We are so blessed in the Gospel to actually understand our purpose. 

Whatever insights you had in General Conference, don't forget about them! Remember those things you planned on doing and changing, and implement those changes in your life.

I love you all. I am done now. Here is a picture:

​Elder Porter in a phone booth... with no phone.

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Elder Benge